Time again for a Strook with something I drew, photographed, read, and listened to:

Photographed

Last week, I spent four days walking the West Highland Way in Scotland, all the way to Fort William. That's why there are no drawings this week, but photos of the beautiful landscape.

Reading

In Scotland, I read Things Become Other Things. In this book, Craig Mod embarks on a 300-mile walk across Kii, a peninsula in Japan. He describes Japanese culture in detail. His encounters, what he eats (pizza toast, in so-called Kissa's) and what he sees. He makes you feel how many Japanese areas are struggling with depopulation, but still seem to be doing everything they can to preserve their identity. He documents this, also with photos. And while walking, he recalls memories of a lost friend and his own childhood in America. Craig Mod moved to Japan 20 years ago, which allows him to describe this contrast like no other.

I originally started following Craig Mod because he was already a leading designer in my own tech world. In recent years, he has built up a loyal following with his newsletters (Roden and Ridgeline) and projects about walking in Japan. I have enjoyed reading them for years. During the lockdowns, I sometimes walked with his Walk in Japan podcast. He makes high-quality audio recordings while hiking. It really makes you feel like you're somewhere else. Very strange.

Listening

On the bus through Scotland, I listened to Bon Iver's amazing album SABLE, fAble again. Speaking of things:

Not an original music tip, I know, but you'll get those again next week.

See you next week!